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APRIL 2021
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Rental aid programs helping people in need
YMCA marks 70 years in Hamilton By Joe Emanski
Tenants, homeowners who have lost income during the pandemic eligible for assistance By Joe Emanski
The U.S. economy overall may have weathered the storm of Covid-19, but millions of individuals, including thousands in Mercer County, have experienced significant hardship because of income lost due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many unemployed and underemployed renters have fallen behind on their monthly payments, and homeowners have skipped mortgage payments because of dwindling bank accounts. Fortunately for them, there are a number of programs at the local and county level to help get them through these challenging times. Hamilton Township has made $650,000 available for rent, mortgage and utility relief through a federal Community Development Block Grant, made possible by the CARES Act passed by Congress in March 2020. Both See ERAP, Page 18
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Long-time Hamilton resident Alejandro Hernandez has spent the past three years as a regular recurring cast member on the medical drama “New Amsterdam,” which airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on NBC and Wednesdays on Peacock.
Their courage From Hamilton to Hollywood and compassion Alejandro inspire us all. Hernandez has hit
star in a variety of network TV New Amsterdam has been peoshows in recent years, includ- ple recognizing him at various ing Gotham, Blue Bloods, and different places. He recalls now in his most recent role on his most surreal moment the big time with a fan to be while he was New Amsterdam. One morning, a message written in with chalka appeared regular role on TV’s in front He plays Nurse Casey on on vacation in Paris with his of an RWJBarnabas Health facility. The words New Amsterdam every Tues- girlfriend. A man from Bra‘New Amsterdam’ couldn’t beenonsimpler, or more soul up stirring, zil went to Hernandez and day athave 10 p.m. NBC. New or more accurate. Amsterdam stars Ryan Egg- spoke about how he watches old as the main character, Dr. the show and how much he By AleXa D’Aiello Max Goodwin. When Good- enjoys it. Aside from this encoundirecStealing the microphone win becomes medical “Heroes hospital, at his nursery school gradu- tor at a New Yorkwork here.”he ter, he has been recognized ation may not have seemed must take on the responsibili- at places such as a local Wallike a momentous occasion in ties that come with caring for greens and in Hoboken with friends. patients as well as his staff. young Alejandro Hernandez’sThree words of gratitude and encouragement that As with every job though, The show follows these life at the time, but his father the courage and compassion of health different staff members and there are hard parts that says that was when he knewcapture andjourneys across America. To share with your a career in acting. their here various while come his son was going to go on toworkers thanks or to at support our EmergencyBeing Response Fund, on set in New York for working the hospital. do big things. A new part of Hernandez’s 12-13 hours a day can drag Hernandez has gone onvisit rwjbh.org/heroes from that moment to appear life with his recurring role on See HERNANDEZ, Page 16
Hamilton was a boomtown in the 1950’s. Its population had grown from 30,219 to 41,156 in the decade prior, and by 1960, more than 65,000 people would call the township home. A town growing at that rate needed ever increasing coverage from community organizations like the Hamilton Area YMCA, which formed in 1951. Over the last 70 years, the Y has gone from a small organization that provided programming, summer camp and child care to an organization of nearly 12,000 members. Today it has two facilities: the JKR Branch on Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, with its pool, exercise and wellness facilities; and the Sawmill Branch set amid the farmland at the edge of Yardville. It has expanded and adjusted program offerings over those decades with the aim of serving the growing and changing needs of the community. As the nonprofit looks to celebrate 70 years in the community in 2021, it also hopes that the time has come to finally put 2020 behind it. The global coronavirus pandemic closed all fitness centers for much of the year, and Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive orders prohibited indoor gatherings as a preventative measure against the spread of See yMCA, Page 10
And please, for them, stay home and safe.
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